Indian Railways Launches Its First Ever Solar Powered DEMU Train In Delhi

Indian Railways, on Friday, launched its first solar powered train from the Safdarjung railway station of Delhi. The first diesel electrical multiple unit (DEMU) train will ply from Sarai Rohilla station in Delhi to Farukh Nagar station in Haryana. This is the first time in history that solar panels have been used as grid in railway transport.

The train that comprises of 6 coaches is equipped with 16 solar panels, each producing 300 Wp. The first rake of solar DEMU has been based at Shakur Basti railway station of Delhi.

The DEMU train has been manufactured under the ‘Make in India’ campaign by ICF Chennai and the solar panels costing around Rs. 54 lakh are fitted on the roof of coaches by Indian Railways Organization for Alternative Fuels (IROAF).

The information was shared on the official Twitter handle of Ministry of Railways as well.

By using the energy supplied by its power backup, the train is capable of running for at least 72 hours. The train will save about 21,000 liters of diesel every year leading to a cost saving of approximately Rs. 12 lakh per annum.

This initiative is in line with Indian Railways’ ‘Solar Mission’ to reduce use of fossil fuels to power the trains and use solar energy instead. While revealing the railway budget last year, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had said that the department would generate 1,000 MW of solar energy in the next five years.

At the launch event of the train in Delhi, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said that the Indian Railways is committed to conservation of environment and use of cleaner sources of energy. Reportedly, railways have plans to introduce 50 more such coaches in coming days.